When Should I Get Service On My Toyota?

Common Toyota Service Questions Answered At Andrew Toyota Scion

As vehicles continue to change, we often get questions about Toyota maintenance. At Andrew Toyota Scion it is very important to us that we keep Milwaukee Toyota Owners informed so that their vehicles are in the best shape possible. Below are some of the most common maintenance questions that we hear from our customers. If you have a maintenance question that is not answered below, please post it on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/andrewtoyota or tweet us at @AndrewToyota. We are always eager to help.

Tire Questions:

Why should I rotate my tires?
Rotating tires means moving them from one axle to another — from back to front. Tires can wear unevenly. The front tires tend to wear on the outside edges because the tire leans over when you turn a corner. The rear tires just follow the fronts, so they usually wear more evenly. If you leave tires in place, those outside edges on the front tires will wear down much faster than the rest.

When should I rotate my tires?
At Andrew Toyota Scion we recommend rotating your tires every 5K miles to ensure that you receive the longest life from them.

Oil Change Questions:

Why should I have a dealership perform my oil change?
Our technicians are factory trained and Toyota certified to know every aspect of your vehicle. Plus they use only Genuine Toyota parts, including the oil filter. Using the incorrect oil or oil filter can cause damage to the engine.

In addition, we have SEVEN Toyota Master Technicians available for larger concerns. Being a Master Technician is the highest level that service technicians can reach through programs offered by Toyota. When you service at Andrew Toyota Scion you can be confident that some of the best technicians in the Midwest are actively working and/or advising on your vehicle.

How do I determine if my vehicle has conventional or synthetic oil?
2009 and older Toyota vehicles came with conventional oil. For 2010 and newer Toyota vehicles, refer to the Specifications section of your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for oil type or call us at Andrew Toyota and we can assist you further.

What are the oil change intervals using synthetic oil?
Only Toyota vehicles in which 0w-20 synthetic oil is required (except for the 2TR-FE and 3UR-FBE Engines*) have been approved for extended oil change intervals of 10,000-miles/12-months. (However, you should continue to check the oil level regularly and top off if needed. That will help your engine get the full benefit of synthetic oil.)

Vehicles in which 0w-20 is an option to 5w-20 mineral oil, (or 5w-30), will continue to require 5,000-mile/6-month oil change intervals, even if 0w-20 oil is used.

In the case of vehicles with 10,000 mile oil change intervals, the 5,000 mile service interval has not been eliminated. The traditional 5,000 mile maintenance procedures (such as tire rotation) will continue to be required, and the fluid levels (such as brake fluid) will need to be checked and adjusted at this time.

If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for “Special Operating Conditions” such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32˚ F, or extensive idling; the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of what type of oil is used.

*The 2TR-FE (4Runner / Tacoma) and the 3UR-FBE (Flex Fuel Tundra / Sequoia) are the exceptions to this new change interval program; these engines have not been approved for the 10,000 mile interval at this time. A 5,000-mile/6-month oil change interval is still required for these vehicles. Also, the Flex Fuel 3UR-FBE requires a 2,500 mile interval when operated on E85.

If I have a Toyota that uses synthetic oil with a 10,000-mile oil change interval, why do I need to come in for service every 5,000-miles/6-months?
Toyota recommends other services that should be performed on your vehicle such as a tire rotation, fluid level inspection, brake inspection, and a multipoint inspection. It is important that a Toyota Certified technician check over your vehicle to ensure it will continue to be in tip-top shape, especially with Wisconsin’s harsh weather conditions.

My car is older than 2009 and takes conventional oil, when should I get my oil changed?
If your vehicle is from the model years 2000 to 2009, a good rule of thumb is 5K miles or 5 months, whatever comes first. If it is older than 2000, we would recommend 3K miles or 3 months. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to call the Andrew Toyota Scion Service Center.

Other Maintenance Questions:

When does the cabin air filter need to be replaced?
Before winter sets in is a good time to check your cabin air filter, after it’s been working hard all spring, summer and fall. Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens, and should be replaced per the owner’s manual.

When does an air filter need changing?
The thing to remember about changing an air filter is that the frequency with which they need to be changed depends primarily on the vehicle’s driving conditions and then on the filter itself. Climate and road conditions both play a huge part in determining the lifespan of an air filter. Below is a set of guidelines for judging whether an air filter needs changing or cleaned by the Andrew Toyota Scion service team:

Clean and White: No attention needed

Slightly Dirty: The filter is working efficiently, no attention is needed